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New
Kia Optima (US, Magentis in Europe): more
elegance and dynamism. |
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APN, PR,
1st June 2006.
Following its world
premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show
last September, the all-new
Kia Optima / Magentis
started reaching international markets this spring with a
longer wheelbase, wider track, increased horsepower,
better fuel economy and six standard airbags.
Known as the Optima (in the U.S.) or
Magentis in other markets (Europe), the new mid-size sedan
(upper-medium, D-segment in Europe) completes the
regeneration of Kia's product line-up over the past three
years after the all-new Sedona
minivan, Rio and Rio5 subcompacts, the Sportage compact
SUV, the Spectra sedan and Spectra5 five-door, the Sorento
mid-size SUV and the Amanti large premium sedan.
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Kia
Magentis V6 in UK specs. |
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With European preferences in mind, the
Magentis will propose for the first time the choice of a
turbodiesel engine, with Kia's second-generation
common-rail turbocharged (variable geometry) diesel.
Prices start in the U.S. from $16,955
(including $600 destination charge) for the 2.4-litre LX,
to $21,000 for the EX V6.
In the UK, on-the-road prices start
from £14,495 for the 2.0 GS manual (petrol), up to
£17,495 for the 2.7 V6 LS automatic petrol. The
turbodiesel 2.0 CRDi manual starts from £15,495.
In other European countries, Magentis
prices start from 21,300 euros for the 2.0-litre (2.0 EX
Basis in Germany, 21,990 euros for EX in France), and from
27,470 euros for 2.7-litre version (EX Top in Germany,
28,990 euros for the EX Premium in France).
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Kia
Optima (U.S.): longer wheelbase with
shorter overhangs. |
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Volume - Exterior styling sits
the body on short overhangs with sporty details, such as
the V6 model's dual exhaust outlets. Built on a new
platform with a longer wheelbase (107.1 in. / 2720 mm) and
increased overall width (71.1 in. / 1805 mm) compared to
its predecessor, the new Optima offers a spacious interior
package with an interior volume of 104.2 cubic feet (2950
litres, just under 3 cubic metres).
The new generation Optima / Magentis is
5mm longer (4735 mm), 15mm wider and 70mm taller (1480 mm)
than the old model. It has a 20mm longer wheelbase but a
25mm shorter front overhang. The front and rear track
widths have increased by 23mm and 22mm respectively.
Optima’s trunk (boot) capacity is
nearly 10-percent larger than before, at 420 litres (0.42
cubic metre).
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Kia
Magentis, with more European dynamic body
proportions. |
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Standard safety equipment
features six standard airbags, including dual advanced
front and front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length
side curtain airbags, active front headrests and a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Sensors controlling the dual advanced
front airbags determine the position of the
seat for the driver, while passenger-seat weight sensors
determine if the front passenger seat is occupied. A
central unit decides whether to activate single- or
dual-stage airbag deployment depending on passenger
weight.
Standard front active headrests
move up and forward to help mitigate neck injuries to
front occupants in the event of a rear-impact collision,
and an energy-absorbing steering column helps reduce the
possibility or severity of chest injury to the driver in a
collision.
The new Optima comes with standard
four-wheel disc brakes (vented at front), standard or
optional (depending on markets) anti-lock brakes (ABS),
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD: ABS and EBD are
standard on all versions in the UK) and standard or
optional (depending on versions) Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), Traction Control (TCS) and Brake Assist
(BAS).
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Kia
Optima
gets
circular design elements in
the taillamps (U.S.). |
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Engines - The all-new Optima /
Magentis is available in the U.S. with two gasoline /
petrol engines, a 2.4-litre (4 cylinder) or a 2.7 V6,
while the European line-up offers two petrol choices, a
2.0 (4 cylinder) or the 2.7 V6, plus a 2.0 turbodiesel.
2.0-litre
Theta petrol engine (Europe) - Petrol engines
start in the European line up with Kia's
all-new 2.0-litre Theta engine, a four-cylinder 16-valve
unit with a die-cast aluminium block and a plastic
cylinder head cover and intake manifold.
It features continuously variable valve
timing to optimise low and medium-speed torque plus
high-speed performance and economy. The
valve gear is chain-driven to minimise maintenance
requirements and cut noise, while auxiliary systems are
powered by a serpentine belt. The exhaust manifold is
mounted close to the cabin bulkhead to reduce catalyst
warm-up times and cut emissions.
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Kia
Magentis gets in Europe slight pattern
differences in the taillamps. |
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A counter-rotating balancer shaft in
the crankcase helps reduce vibrations, noise and
harshness. The engine's capacity is 1998cc. Its power
output is 142bhp at 6000rpm, with torque of 139lb ft (188
Nm) at 4250rpm.
Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox,
it can power the new Magentis from 0-62mph (100 km/h) in
10.2 seconds (11.5 sec. in the outgoing 2.0-litre
Magentis) and on to a top speed of 129mph (207 km/h).
Combined fuel consumption is 36.7mpg (imperial miles, 7.7
litre/100 km) and CO2 emissions are 185g/km.
The outgoing 2.0-litre Magentis consumption was at 32.8mpg
(8.61 litre/100 km) and emissions 204g/km.
With the optional four-speed automatic
gearbox, the new Magentis covers 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds,
tops out at 121mph (194 km/h), achieves 34.9mpg (8.09
litre/100 km) on the combined cycle and emits
192g/km of CO2.
2.4 litre petrol (U.S.) - The
all-new aluminium 2.4-liter four-cylinder CVVT engine
delivers 15-percent more power (161-horsepower) than the
previous-generation engine.
It is an in-line four cylinder 16
valves, aluminium block and heads and double
overhead camshafts (DOHC), with an output of 161 hp (220
Newton-metre) at 5800 rpm.
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Kia
Magentis (Europe) 2.0-litre common-rail
direct injection turbodiesel. |
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2.0-litre
CRDi (Europe) - This
is the first time that a diesel engine has been offered in
Magentis and the 2.0-litre CRDi common-rail turbodiesel
engine completes Kia’s model line up which provides a
diesel version of every model except Picanto.
The engine is a lightly-modified and
improved version of the unit fitted to the company's
Sportage compact SUV.
It is a single overhead camshaft 1991cc
16-valve four-cylinder unit featuring second-generation
common-rail high-pressure fuel injection and
electrically-actuated variable turbine geometry to ensure
lively response throughout the rev band with clean
emissions. A diesel particulate filter is fitted. The
engine meets Euro IV emissions standards.
This engine develops 138bhp at 4000rpm
and 225lb ft (305 Nm) of torque all the way from 1800 to
2500rpm.
With the standard six-speed manual
gearbox, it powers the new Magentis from 0-62mph (0-100
km/h) in 10.4 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 125mph
(201 km/h). Combined fuel consumption is 47.1mpg (UK mpg,
6.00 litres/100 km), with CO2 emissions of
162g/km.
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Upgraded
2.7-litre V6 petrol engine. |
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With the optional four-speed automatic
gearbox, the comparative figures are 0-62mph in 11.7
seconds, top speed 124mph (199 km/h), combined consumption
38.7mpg (7.3 litre / 100 km) and CO2 emissions
191g/km.
2.7-litre V6 petrol engine (U.S.
and Europe)- The upgraded
version of Kia's 2.7-litre Delta V6 petrol engine gets a
horsepower increase of nearly 10 percent. The
changes are so comprehensive that Kia has decided to
rename the latest engine Mu. Performance-boosting
modifications include a three-stage variable intake
system, mechanical lash adjusters that allow the valve
gear to go 60,000 miles before maintenance is needed, a
quieter timing belt drive and a redesigned block with new
cylinder liners.
The
changes to the 2656cc 24-valve unit have raised power and
torque levels to 185bhp at 6000rpm and 182lb ft (246 Nm)
at 4000rpm. Driveability is enhanced by continuously
variable valve timing and multi-point fuel injection,
while twin exhaust tailpipes distinguish V6 models from
the outside.
With the standard five-speed automatic
gearbox, the V6 Optima / Magentis is capable of a top
speed of 137mph (220 km/h, UK specs) and 0-62mph (100
km/h) acceleration in 9.1 seconds. Combined fuel economy
is 30.7mpg (UK, 9.2 litre / 100 km), with CO2
emissions of 220g/km.
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White-blue
illumination theme inside. |
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Transmissions - In the U.S., a
new five-speed gated automatic transmission with
Sportmatic is standard on all versions except the 2.4 LX
which gets an improved, smoother shifting five-speed
manual transmission.
In the
UK, the V6 petrol engine comes standard with a new
five-speed gearbox that delivers smoother shifts and 4%
better fuel economy than its forerunner. The 2.0-litre
petrol and turbodiesel engines can be ordered with an
optional four-speed automatic that has been developed
specially for the new Magentis.
Both automatics have electronic control
that monitors a variety of parameters to guarantee smooth
shifts adapted to individual driving styles. They feature
Kia's Sport Mode system that allows the driver to exercise
sequential manual shifting in place of fully-automatic
operation. High top gear ratios ensure reduced fuel
consumption and quieter cruising at high speeds.
The six-speed manual gearbox fitted to
the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine is all new and includes
several innovations, including triple-axis gear train and
multiple-cone synchroniser on first and second gears for
faster, smoother changes.
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Interior
space benefits from the longer wheelbase
and wider body. |
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Suspension and steering - The
all-new Optima / Magentis adopts independent front and
rear suspension systems, with a MacPherson strut setup in
front and multi-link with coil springs at the rear, to
strike a balance between a comfortable ride and responsive
handling.
Front and rear anti-roll bars are
standard on all models.
The
steering is a hydraulically-operated rack and pinion
system with 2.8 turns from lock-to-lock for a tight
turning circle of 10.8 metres. It allows quick response
and good feedback on country roads without being
over-sensitive for motorway driving. GS models (UK) come
with 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/60 tyres, while LS
versions have 17-inch alloy wheels with
specially-developed 215/50 Michelin tyres
Versions (U.S.) - Both the
four-cylinder (2.4-litre) and V6 (2.7-litre) variations of
the all-new Optima are available in two trim levels: LX
and EX. All models offer standard air conditioning, power
windows and door locks, heated outside mirrors, six-way
adjustable driver’s seat, AM/FM/CD audio system with six
speakers, 60-40 split folding rear seats, four-wheel disc
brakes and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
The LX 2.4-litre four-cylinder model
with automatic transmission comes equipped with cruise
control, keyless entry and alarm, manual tilt and
telescopic steering column, audio system controls on the
steering wheel and floor mats.
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Trunk
(boot) capacity becomes 420 litres (0.42
cubic metre). |
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ll EX models feature alloy wheels, fog
lights, solar glass, eight-way power adjustable driver's
seat, automatic temperature control, auto-dimming rear
view mirror with Homelink, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
trip computer, metal door scuff plates, chrome accent
outside door handles and an Infinity AM/FM/Cassette/6-disc
CD/MP3 premium audio system.
The 360-watt Infinity premium audio
system found in EX models houses nine speakers in seven
different locations throughout the car, including a
subwoofer in the rear, and utilizes eight channels of
amplification capable of 45 watts each. Two-way, left and
right front channels with tweeters provide dynamic and
harmonically rich reproduction, while rear-channel
woofers/tweeters also enhance the sound image. The
Infinity premium audio system is representative of the
appointments that make Optima stand out as not only an
incredible value, but also a benchmark of sophistication.
The LX Appearance Package, available on
LX four-cylinder and V6 A/T vehicles, adds 17-inch alloy
wheels, Michelin tires, blacked-out headlights and front
grille, fog lights, Supervision meter cluster, trip
computer, auto light control, leather wrapped steering
wheel and shift knob, aluminium interior trim and silver
accent interior door handles.
The optional EX Appearance Package adds
17-inch alloy wheels, Michelin tires, blacked-out
headlights and front grille, Supervision meter cluster,
aluminium and black interior trim, and black leather seat
trim.
In the U.S., the new Optima is covered
by Kia's comprehensive 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper
warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain
warranty, and 5 years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance.
Versions (UK) - In the UK, standard
features across the range include front, side and curtain
airbags (the passenger's side front airbag has an on-off
switch so it can be deactivated if a child seat is being
used), active headrests on both front seats
and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force
distribution. In addition, LS models have emergency brake
assist and electronic stability programme with traction
control.
Brake
assist fitted to LS versions recognises when a driver is
applying emergency braking and ensures maximum retardation
to reduce stopping distances. This version also comes with
electronic stability programme and traction control as
standard to prevent skids by monitoring the car's course
compared to that intended by the driver, and applying the
brakes or slowing the engine if necessary.
All UK
Magentis versions have air conditioning, an MP3-compatible
radio/CD player, driver's seat height adjustment and a
tilt-adjust steering column, a leather-wrapped steering
wheel, powered and heated door mirrors, four electric
windows and remote central locking.
LS models have in addition automatic
lights, a trip computer, telescopic steering wheel
adjustment, full climate control with an air quality
monitoring system, 8-way powered driver’s seat and
heated front seats and stability and traction control with
emergency brake assist.
All UK Magentis versions are protected
against theft by remote central locking with deadlocks,
and an engine immobiliser, plus a comprehensive
three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
For market-specific information,
you can visit Kia
Motors global website from here. |
